BUKIDNON NEWS – Bukidnon Representative Teofisto “TG” Guingona III lamented the loss of P18 billion worth of agricultural products damaged by Typhoon ‘Pepeng’. He also expressed optimism that the Filipino people will rise above the challenge brought by ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng’.

“It is sad but it also allows us to begin again and to do so now with the right policies and programs,” Guingona said.

Pepeng’ has wrought vast devastation especially in the North, flooding thousands of acres of agricultural land, destroying crops and livestock and causing hundreds of deaths due to landslides and drowning. Local government officials have admitted that they were caught unprepared by ‘Pepeng’s’ fury.

Cong. Guingona urged his colleagues to pass the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill (DRRM) as soon as possible to avert the same catastrophic results of disasters which are made worse by the global climate change.

The solon also said that is high time that the government and all concerned agencies to help the farming sector in rebuilding their lost livelihood.

“We have learned hard lessons, we should not let them go to waste. Let us focus on helping the farmers. They, and not anything else, are our true agricultural resources. Rebuilding their lives and livelihood is what will secure the country’s food supply,’ stressed Guingona. (PRESS RELEASE)